Officials Heighten Security At N.C. Ports

RALEIGH, N.C. — Seaports worldwide are following tougher security measures, including both of

North Carolina's ports

.

One hundred-fifty nations recently signed off on the Marine Transportation Security Act, designed to prevent terrorist attacks.

The act requires each ship entering a port to have, among other things, a security officer and an alarm system. The Coast Guard also will board every foreign vessel that enters a U.S. port.

Hong Kong and Singapore, two of the world's busiest shipping ports, have not reported any problems.